The President of the Republic went to the reception centre this morning, accompanied by the Minister of Interior, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare and the Commissioners for Administration and Protection of Children's Rights, in order to be informed about the living conditions of the migrants.
As Government Spokesman Marios Pelicanos said yesterday, "the purpose of the President's visit is to see for himself and examine on the spot the situation in the temporary accommodation area".
This will be followed by a wide service meeting to examine the situation in Pournara at the Presidential Palace.
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To the criticism that the government is receiving for miserable conditions in Pournara, especially with regard to minors, Nikos Nouris responded yesterday.
"I want to categorically say again that, despite the huge number gathered at "Pournara", which is far beyond the capacity of the Centre, all 356 declared as minors have never been left outside accommodation with heating and air conditioning.
Mr. Nouris stressed that all of them remain exactly and reside in specific such lodgings. "Nevertheless, recognizing the large number we receive at the Centre, and despite the fact that appropriate feeding is provided, as per the relevant standards and everything that should be provided to them, at the initiative and instruction of the Minister of Interior 90 of the minors have been moved to a hotel unit in Larnaca, which is rented by the Ministry of Interior, in an effort to discharge the Centre."
At the same time, he added that it is also by his own directive that the completion process has started for those who have not yet completed the processes, so as to allow, in the next few days, their possible temporary relocation, despite the fact that the issue of moving them out of "Pournara" is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior.
"Nevertheless, in cooperation with the Social Welfare Services, we want to assist in this effort, so that we can relieve the Centre and provide the best conditions," he concluded.
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